She was played by then-33-year-old Stockard Channing. Channing was almost double the age of her "Grease" character. According to Vanity Fair, the 33-year-old actress "was the oldest of the principal actors cast."

Who was the oldest cast member of Grease?

The late Olivia Newton-John, who costarred as Sandy, was 29 at the time Grease was filmed; Stockard Channing, who played Rizzo, was the principal cast's oldest member at 33 during filming, according to a 2016 Vanity Fair article about the production.

How old were the cast in Grease?

Most of the lead stars were in their 20s and 30s while filming Grease with Travolta aged 23 and Newton-John aged 29, despite playing teenagers.

Why was the cast of Grease so old?

'People might say the cast is too old, but Grease is not a documentary; it's a fantasy,' he clarified. 'It is a non-PC fairytale that is better for the cast not being teens,' Thurm explained. 'The only thing that was important was that the cast all looked about the same age as each other, which they did. '

How old was Michelle Pfeiffer in Grease 2?

With only a few television roles and small film appearances, Michelle Pfeiffer, then aged 23, was a relatively unknown actress when she attended the casting call audition for the role of Stephanie. Other actresses considered for the part included Lisa Hartman, Kristy McNichol, Andrea McArdle, and singer Pat Benatar.

Grease (1978) Cast Then and Now ★ 2023 [45 Years After] // Olivia Newton-John

Why didn't John Travolta do Grease 2?

By the time Grease was a hit – and the studio realised a sequel might not be such a bad idea after all – Travolta and Newton-John had moved on to other things. Director Randal Kleiser also gave it a miss. Instead, Patricia Birch, choreographer of the original stage musical and the first film, was put at the helm.

Are Sandy and Frenchy cousins?

The Grease girls, who played memorable best buds and cousins Sandy and Frenchy in the 1978 classic, joined one another on stage at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino during Newton-John's show.

What actor turned down Grease?

Henry Winkler felt "so dumb" to have turned down the part of Danny Zuko in Grease.

Who turned down Grease role?

Henry Winkler said his fear of being typecast after years playing “The Fonz” led to him rejecting the lead role in 1978 hit film Grease.

Why is Grease 2 hated?

Grease 2 is often regarded as one of the worst sequels in movie history; it's pointless, a complete copy of the original (minus all the good parts), and the songs are forgettable for the most part.

How old was Frenchy in Grease?

Frenchy was played by Didi Conn, who was 26 while filming during the summer of 1977. Conn had appeared in multiple TV shows and movies before hitting it big with "Grease."

Did the cast of Grease get along?

The Grease co-stars were still very close up until Olivia's death in August 2022, and even famously reunited in LA in 2002 to sing their classic hit 'You're The One That I Want'. John Travolta was a huge support to Olivia Newton-John as she underwent treatment for breast cancer.

Did John Travolta sing in Grease?

The film is also notable for having Danny (played by John Travolta, who had already had top-40 hits before Grease) sing lead on the song, while Kenickie (Jeff Conaway) contributed with a few call-and-response lines.

Where was Grease filmed?

Grease was shot in various locations across the Los Angeles area, from the lively South Bay to the charming Silverlake neighborhood. Much of the production was filmed on-site, including exterior shots of Rydell High, taken at Venice High School, Huntington Park High School, and John Marshall High School.

How old was John when filming Grease?

John Travolta was 23 years old when he filmed the part of 18-year-old Danny Zuko.

Who is the older waitress in Grease?

Vi is the head waitress at the Frosty Palace. She is portrayed by the late Joan Blondell, and by Didi Conn in "Grease Live" (AKA The original performer of Frenchy). Along with her fellow waitresses, she enjoys serving the T-Birds and Pink Ladies, along with the rest of the students at Rydell.

Who was first choice for Danny in Grease?

Henry Winkler was offered the role of Danny Zuko.

Henry Winkler's "Happy Days" character, Fonzie, basically was Danny Zuko, so he was a natural first thought for the film. But Winkler had been playing the ABC role for a decade, so he passed on "Grease."

Who was originally meant to play Sandy in Grease?

Casting Sandy would prove trickier. Director Randal Kleiser saw rushes from a new film his old college buddy George Lucas was making, titled Star Wars, to see if its female lead, Carrie Fisher, could be a fit. She wasn't. Marie Osmond (left) and Carrie Fisher (right) were both considered for Olivia Newton-John's Sandy.

Who was first choice for Sandy in Grease?

According to Vanity Fair, the iconic role of doe-eyed Sandy was almost given to late Star Wars actor Carrie Fisher, who died in 2016 at the age of 60.

What happened to Rizzo out of Grease?

Stockard Channing: Betty Rizzo

After playing Rizzo in Grease, Channing played First Lady Abbey Bartlet in The West Wing for seven years, as well as racking up TV credits in Batman Beyond, Out Of Practice and, recently, The Good Wife.

What happened to the actress who played Rizzo in Grease?

She made her London theatre debut at the Royal Court Theatre in the 90s, in John Guare's Six Degrees of Separation. She's returned for stints since, in 2017 for Apologia at the Trafalgar Studios and again in 2021 in Night Mother at the Hampstead Theatre. The star has been married and divorced four times.

What are the movie mistakes in Grease?

Is Jane's sister Frenchie?

In even more pleasing news, we learn that Frenchy is the little sister of Jane Facciano, the co-founder and original leader of the Pink Ladies. This means Frenchy is certified Pink Lady royalty. It's clear she idolises her older sister, so it's no surprise that she will one day pledge Pink.

Why do they fly away at the end of Grease?

In addition, the shop teacher aiding the T-Birds sets up the twist, saying that, "if it were in any better condition, it would fly." Still, while the flying car is a departure for Grease, it serves as a symbol that Danny and Sandy are quite literally flying into the sunset for their happy ending.

What year is Grease set in?

Named after the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as greasers, the musical is set in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High School in Northwest Chicago. This fictional high school was based on Taft High School in Chicago, Illinois, and named after rock singer Bobby Rydell.